Department of Basic education says it has built 70 schools under ASIDI programme in the Eastern Cape

BY TAI CHISHAKWE - AUGUST 19, 2014

The Department of Basic Education on Monday announced that it has built 70 schools in the Eastern Cape alone under the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI) programme which was launched in 2011.

“As at 18 August, we have built 70 new schools in the Eastern Cape and 4 in the Western Cape,” the department said in a statement.

“Samson Primary School, in particular, will be the recipient of entirely new facilities built from alternative construction technology by December 2014.

“With reference to furniture, the Department of Basic Education has procured 78 240 double combination desks, 5 292 teachers’ tables and chairs from the Department of Labour to the value of R59, 993,202.24. To date 53, 948 desks, 5292 teacher’s chairs and 1134 teacher’s tables were delivered to schools in the Eastern Cape.”

The department said that more than 73, 084 desks were also ordered for the schools from the Department of Environmental Affairs to the value of R 42 827 224.00.

“The first batch of 252 schools in Libode district in the Eastern Cape has received its consignment consisting of 24 535 desks. A further consignment of 24 000 desks is currently being delivered to the Eastern Cape. Treasury has finalized a further contract to supply furniture from Grade R to 12 for the period August 2014 to July 2016. Furniture provision is an ongoing programme,” it described.

The Department of Basic Education is building close to 500 schools nationally under the ASIDI programme. The bulk of the schools are being built in the Eastern Cape.

“Barring unforeseen delays, it takes 10 to 15 months for a state of the art school to be built. Learning is not interrupted as the learners are housed in temporary mobile classrooms during construction and immediately take occupation of the new facilities as soon as they are ready,” the department said.

The ASIDI programme also provides basic services of water, electricity and sanitation to schools that previously had none.

“On sanitation, to date 266 schools have been provided with sanitation. 339 schools are at various stages of procurement of contractors and construction. On water, to date 224 schools have been provided with water. 685 schools are at various stages procurement of contractors and construction of the works.

“On electrification, to date 265 schools have been provided with electrification. 212 schools are at various stages of design and procurement of contractors,” the department said.

“Schools are assessed to establish infrastructure needs. DBE appoints implementing agents that implement and manage batches of projects on its behalf. The Implementing Agents in turn procure and appoint professional service providers and contractors to execute the work.”

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